It is sort of funny. I thought when the Flames bombed last season, and then started off poorly this season, that Coleman would be one of the players to sulk. American player coming to play in Calgary for a chance to win and all of that. Then he just goes out and has a career season. He was always one of the leaders in the room (even got into that shouting match against Gudbranson that season), but he has seemed to take an even bigger role in the leadership team. Him and Tanev are the two most 'heart and soul' type of guys on the team.
If Backlund wasn't here, Coleman would get my vote for the C right now. I don't want to trade him, and certainly the term makes it even more difficult, but there shouldn't be a single team in this league that wouldn't want to add a Coleman into their lineup. He has essentially become the perfect hockey player, on and off the ice.
As for Lindholm, I won't throw stones. Out of the three traded, he seemed like the one that really didn't want to be here, unless he got overpaid. Toffoli wanted to be here, but the Conroy didn't want to extend him. Zadorov wanted more cash than he deserved, but he otherwise stated multiple times that he wanted to be here and that was his preference - it could have been lip service, but he also stated this AFTER the trade went down, so while it may be lip service, it still means a little more. Either way, those three players were making noise. I do remember Lindholm's first game back in Carolina, he mocked their "Storm Surge". I thought it crossed the line somewhat, even if he did get booed. I wonder if he will get booed here in his first game back, and how he will respond.
I still haven't found a single resource that states that Hanifin wants to play in the USA only. I believe that was initial rumours piggy-backing off the Gaudreau and Tkachuk situations more than anything. I believe it was refuted, wasn't it?
As a believer in the notion that the Flames have to undergo a significant retool/rebuild, I think part of the design is sucking next season (and avoiding handing over a pick in the teens to Montreal in the process!). I don't mind that. Tanev, Hanifin and Markstrom look like they will all be gone between now and the start of next season, and it will be a noticeable hole, unlike Toffoli, Zadorov and Lindholm leaving and the Flames not really skipping much of a beat. However, I do think that it sucks gutting a huge component of that leadership out of the room.
Backlund, Coleman and Andersson just need to really step up, as does Huberdeau, Kadri and Weegar. This team will really need a strong leadership group to keep the kids pointed in the right direction on and off the ice. That's the difference between a Boston and Buffalo, IMO. That's why Chicago went out and overpaid for Foligno, and acquired others like Hall, Perry (oops!), etc.
I am definitely happy that Coleman is a guy that will be around. It helps turn the organization around more quickly too.
|